Thousands of packages go through the United States Postal Service warehouses every day, and itkeeps track of all of themfrom reception to delivery. The USPS tends to handle this job to a high degree. It’s good to know when you’re thinking aboutbuying the best phone accessoryfor your smartphone. Still, packages get lost, damaged, or stolen. When this happens, filing a claim with USPS is the quickest way to take action and get reimbursed for damages.
There are two categories for filing. One for domestic shipments and one for international shipments. You’ll learn how to properly file for both and better understand the processes in this article.
Things to know before you file a USPS Claim
Filing a claim is about more than saying your package was lost or damaged. You must meet some prerequisites and take a few steps before beginning the process.
What packages are eligible for filing?
Certain packages are eligible for claims, and the criteria differ for domestic and international claims. For domestic issues, check to see if the damaged items shipped to you (or the stolen ones that never made it) are covered by insurance. You canfile an indemnity claimto streamline the filing process. Otherwise, the eligible list is as follows:
For international packages, things can be trickier to handle. Have insurance on your package, and make sure the insurance covers the value of the lost, stolen, or damaged item. Only the US sender can start an international claim. With international claims processes likely to be different from domestic ones, the claim must be coordinated with the foreign postal administration.
Now that you know the items that are eligible for a claim, you’ll need to know the process for filing one.
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How to file a USPS claim domestically
Filing a domestic claim starts with knowing your filing periods. There are different types of mailing services, and each has a different start and end date to submit a claim. If items are damaged or missing from your package, file a claim immediately upon receiving the package but no later than 60 days past the original mailing date.
For lost packages, the filing process depends on the category of mail. Here’s how it works:
For all categories, you have up to 60 days to file, which should be ample time in most cases.
After learning your filing period, collect the necessary documents about the package. Here are the most important documents you’ll need:
After you gather the necessary info, file a claim with USPS. The fastest and most efficient way to do this is throughits online portal. Alternatively, you can start a claim process through the mail. Make sure you keep the evidence close throughout the process.
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How to file a USPS claim internationally
Filing internationally works much the same way as it does domestically, but there are some changes to keep in mind. First, mail services tend to run differently depending on the country, which also means filling periods are different. Here are the general filing periods for most packages:
After finding out the type of package you’re filing for, gather the documents for evidence. This includes the following:
After you have all the necessary information,file an online claimto start the process and get reimbursed for your items.
Keep your files for all shipments
Shipments will never be 100% reliable, so your package could be affected again. The best way to protect yourself from this is by keeping records of your transactions and shipments until the package arrives at its destination. This way, you’ll be ready to file a claim when something goes wrong and can streamline the filing process to work in your favor.
If you’re concerned about porch pirates or want to know when your mail arrives,set up USPS Informed Deliveryand receive a notice when USPS leaves a package at your front door or in your mailbox.
